simcgunner

some years it can be extremely hot but most years its very nice weather.

Very sorry for your loss. So sad to loose a great pal.

Thanks for the encouragement. My wrist has healed but I still can't hold a shotgun. yesterday was the last day of woodcock season and I took the dog out for a little walk she was happy to point about a half dozen and get some exercise. I go to therapy to get the hand working again for next season.

bulge caused by an obstruction. most due to base wads of cartridges left in barrel. If reloading inspect the cases internally. mud, snow, felt wads can cause this too. barrel is scrap even if beaten down and re-blued they will not pass reproof.

has he started his hand and arm collection yet?

A Wonderful photo. In many years in the woods I have only caught a glimpse of one on one occasion. You have exceptional talent.

like the old fool I am I was alone miles away from camp. no phone service, and two hours drive to nearest hospital. They patched me up to head home and two days drive back home. worst part was telling the wife. I had the wrist set last night at the local military hospital She is not happy. I have an appointment with a hand specialist this week.

Started well.I Was up in the mountains near the Canadian border looking for Ruffed grouse and woodcock. Things were going well. I was moving a lot of birds. when a tumble into a hidden hole ended my trip prematurely. A broken wrist finishes my shooting year.

Simc gunner. I was in a group of friends That rode motorcycles and were having a bunch of" hey watch this" moments The barmaid at our favorite watering hole said "Your a bunch of stumbling idiots you ought to form a club: So we did the Stumbling Idiots Motorcycle Club. Our symbol is crossed crutches. Gunner because of my job . most of us were militatary or weapons support folks.

Second picture was shot by A photographer who sent it to the state wildlife magazine, I had not seen it. when looking through the magazine I saw the picture and thought "That old Man has a dog just like mine" before I realized it was me.

Thats one of the decoys sold last week at the Guyette and Deeter auction. the photo is from their catalogue. Their catalogues are Beautyful. check them out and you may be astounded at some of the prices realized. especially the art work and some of the guns.

This one sold last week for $ 3960.00

In the states international drivers licenses are issued to people who have a valid license only. The international license is not valid for commercial work anywhere. only travel that dose not recognize our license. driver licenses from other nations are honored here

Minis are folk art and decorative only. They do not float test them. What is nice about yours is the carver was proud enough of his work to sign them on the bottom. They are excellent on a bookshelf or someone's, desk, especially if made by a good carver. During most competitions there is a class for them. The decoy contests that I have attended have a test in a tank of water and the large decoys are judged by a panel of experienced wildfowler's. They must be able to perform as gunning decoys as well have a good shape and paintwork. I am not a collector of fine decoys and can't tell the difference between a 50 dollar decoy and one valued at 50000 dollars

Looks like the top lever spindle is broken if the action could be opened the bottom bight retracted I would have suspected a simple top lever spring but the top lever is not retracting. time to speak to a gunsmith. repair parts are not available and would have to be made. Is the gun worth it? The fellow in the above is not giving good advice in my opinion he has not mentioned chamber length, and low brass shells can be quite high pressure. especially the low cost ones sold just before hunting season opens in the States. They are typically 1 1/8 oz 3 dram loads(max CIP) ok for a new semi auto but a bit too hot for that gun . I check Guns with the fore-end off for looseness and to see if they are on face

what are the thick rods in the cabinet next to the double guns ? are they arrows? sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey.webp

Nice pair of minis a good trip remembrance. nice heads on both.

I think you paid A good price for a hand carved decoy. and yes, if you go to different states the hunting decoys develop distinct styles. Among the best ever were the Ward Brothers of Maryland. Their style changed over the years, and they enjoyed fame as carvers in their lifetime. One of the brothers specialized in the painting of the dekes. one wrote poetry sometimes on the bottom of the dekes. look them up on- line they are very interesting. They were barbers by trade and carved while waiting for customers. I am reading a book on how to rig and use decoys written in the late 50s and the author extolls the supremacy of the new modern plastic decoys over the old fashioned wooden ones.

I believe your correct Your Canvasback was not made for gunning over . The fancy logo carved on the base.,as Well as the detailed feather striations. make it a combination folk art and Decoy. Made by a decoy carver to sell individually rather than a spread of gunning decoys. the Feather stamps used by great lakes carvers were hand made U shaped chisels that could be pushed into the decoy replicating a layer of feathers. Still a nice find that if made by a famous carver could be valuable. I would have picked it up if priced fairly.

Very nice great lakes style. Carvers from that area are known for using Feather stamps but the detail on your Deke is unusual. Have a look at the auction house Guyette and Deeter in St Michales Md. They are the premier Antique duck decoy collectors and wildfowling kit house. The auction estimates are usually lower than realized prices. Rare antiques art and Guns. Their catalogues are masterpieces and very educational. congratulations on a nice find. guyetteanddeeter.com

I show antique wildfowling guns at the mid- Atlantic wildfowling heritage museum a couple of times a month. Many folks never heard of and very few have seen an 8 bore or 4 bore gun.

your place is looking good. with your pond already in you may see some doves nesting around the clearing this year. I'm not a turkey hunter either but that looks like a good place for them.